Multi-incidence angle DEM generation and analysis using ENVISAT/ASAR data

In this paper, from the multi-incidence angle ASAR interferometric data, three DEM for IS2, IS3 and IS4 are generated respectively in the hilly terrain area. For different incidence angle, the effects of layover and shadow on SAR backscattering image, interferometric coherence and phase, DEM accuracy are qualitatively discussed and analysed. The preliminary results indicate that higher incidence angle decrease the layover that lead to target distortion and be favorable for high accuracy DEM generation, but, at the same time, the shadow is increase and some useful information are lost. So, the good tradeoff between layover and shadow must be dealt with for high precision DEM generation in hilly terrain.